Purpose

The Lifts in the Council’s Cecil Street offices are over 50 years old and have reached the end of their effective operational and economic life. Both lifts consistently break down and repairing them is becoming impossible because the faulty parts are no longer manufactured. Cabinet approval was sought to procure a contract for renewing the passenger lifts.

Decision

Cabinet agreed the following:

1. The key decision to procure and award a contract with an estimated value of £425,000 to undertake essential work to renew the lifts, operating equipment and motors, following a procurement exercise;
2. That the Director of Place shall negotiate the final terms and sign the contract with the successful bidder.

Reasons for the decision

1.  To plan against the risk of failing to meet statutory requirements under the Equality Act 2010 if the operational lift becomes defective;

2.  To prevent the potential breach of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED);

3.  To safeguard the long-term utility and desirability of the Cecil Street offices.

Alternative options considered

Delay the lift renewal and continue with reactive, on-demand repair work to the remaining operational lift.

This alternative option was rejected because it is not a viable long-term solution and could put the authority at risk of breaching statutory requirements.